Human remains found among bones recovered from Taal Lake

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Police General Nicolas Torre III confirmed on Monday that some of the bones recovered from Taal Lake during the ongoing search for missing cockfight enthusiasts are human remains.

General Torre explained that the recovered items are a mixture of animal and human remains due to the presence of farms in the area.

The PNP is currently conducting forensic analysis to differentiate between animal and human bone fragments. Five sacks containing suspected human bones have been recovered from the lake since Thursday.

The discovery follows an assessment of the search site by the Philippine Coast Guard and focuses on a “fishpond lease” belonging to one of the suspects, considered the primary area of investigation.

One sack of bones was found near the location indicated by whistleblower and co-accused Julie “Dondon” Patidongan, who claimed the missing sabungeros were transported to that area before being disposed of in the lake.

DNA testing will be conducted to compare the recovered remains with DNA samples provided by the families of the 34 cockfighting enthusiasts reported missing between 2021 and 2022.

The investigation continues, with businessman Atong Ang named as a potential mastermind and actress Gretchen Barretto linked to the disappearances, although both have denied any involvement.